No proofread.

Arnav stared at a sleeping Khushi with a sad expression on his face.

The doctor said she fainted due to shock and adviced the family to restrain her from overwhelming emotions.

He wrote down medicine to be bought for Khushi and Aman and Preeto immediately left to get it.

They arrived to find the entire family but this time Akash had joined them and Arnav was missing.

That was when Payal made it known to them that Arnav was with Khushi in her room.

In Khushi's room, Arnav stood up to leave and give a sleeping Khushi some air but halted when he saw the picture on Khushi's night stand.

He walked up to it, picked it up and run his hand over it as a wave of guilt filled his entire body.

It was the picture of Khushi with her parents smiling happily.

Arnav smiled as how cute Khushi looked as a baby and from the picture, she knew she was loved.

"My family's greed took this away from you......... I won't blame you if you never want anything to do with me bit I hope you won't hate me because it will hurt so much. " Arnav whispered staring at a sleeping Khushi.

He pulled out his phone and scanned the picture to save to his gallery before placing it back.

He leaned closer and kissed Khushi on the forehead before walking out.

Arnav walked into the lounge of the Gupta house to find everyone still there but with gloomy faces except for Preeto who was throwing daggers at a crying Garima.

Shashi abruptly stood up alerting the others as the turned to find Arnav walking up to them and he sat on the empty couch facing Shashi and everyone and Shashi also sat down.

"Arnav, I am sorry for everything. " Shashi apologized and Arnav was taken aback and shook his head.

"Mr Gupta, there is nothing to apologize for. " Arnav responded sincerely but Shashi shook his head.

"I do my boy..... I do. " Shashi retorted and Arnav tried to speak up but Shashi raised his hand stopping him. " Let me speak. " Arnav nodded as Shashi continued. "I don't blame Garima for what she did....... Her past and my attitude towards her submission to my sister pushed her to do this.......... Garima was married at the age of twenty years old to her high school sweetheart Adnan but her in laws were horrible people who wanted their son to marry the family's friends daughter but Adnan refused and they harassed Garima because of it...... Garima didn't care because she loved Adnan and Adnan loved her equally and after months of harassment, Adnan's family realized they were wrong but Adnan wanted nothing to do with them so they approached Garima but she sent them away not wanting anything to do with them............A few months later, Garima gave birth to her son Raghav and she and Adnan were happy but it didn't last long when Adnan and Raghav died in a fire outbreak at the apartment where they lived........Garima barely escaped with her life. " Arnav, Akash and Aman who didn't know this were stunned and their eyes travelled to a crying Garima's arms which had visible burned scars and they finally understood the origin of her scars. "Adnan's family blamed Garima for it and kicked her out when she went to them for solace...........Garima had no one as her sister Nandini, Khushi's mum cut ties with Garima after she took the side of my abusive and late father during their parents divorce and the hurt of Garima choosing their father caused her mother to fall I'll and shortly died after the divorce........ Nandini blamed Garima's for it and cut ties with her..........Garima had no one and etched into her mind that her refusal to help her in laws reconcile with Adnan was the reason she was all alone so after a few years when I met and married her, she became obsessed with pleasing my sister who was and is controlling and always wanted things to go her way....... I warned her but she didn't listen so I left her to face the consequences........ Madhu's overbearing nature and my refusal to get involve made her fed up and she took the path she took not knowing a lot of people will get hurt....... I know she was wrong but she was pushed to do it because of us........ Please don't hold it against her....... She is already suffering enough and is about to suffer more which I will make sure of it."

Everyone knew what he meant by making Garima suffer more.

He was going to divorce her and losing her husband will break her already broken spirit.

Losing her daughters and husband was Garima's punishment for her crime and it was the worst for a woman will abandonment issues.

"I understand and hold nothing against Mrs Gupta but we have a bigger issue here....... Khushi........ She needs us now more than ever...... Well she needs you because I don't know how she will react to me because my family is responsible for her parents death and on top of that we have to find a way to deal with Sudhadra Malik once and for all. " Arnav said and they all nodded.

"We get her and that wretched son of hers arrested that what we will do...... We have recordings proving her and her son's involvement in Khushi's parents death and that will be enough to lock them both up and this will help us kill two birds with one stone........ Sudhadra Malik and Anant will be locked up for good and she won't be able to help Anjali and Shyam........ The four of them will pay for their crimes." Akash said sternly and they all nodded but Shashi and Buaji looked confused wondering what Anjali had to do with this.

They all saw his confused expression and turned to Arnav who nodded in approval to tell them.

Buaji and Shashi who only knew about Garima framing Arvind Malik of infidelity were stunned hearing Payal reveal the reality of the Raizada and Malik family.

They both turned to Arnav and saw him in a new light.

Shashi felt horrible remembering how he had judged Arnav and finally understanding why Garima fiercely defended Arnav.

"I misjudged you Arnav...... I was so wrong about you when I didn't know the full details of your life and what happened to your family." Shashi exclaimed remorsefully surprising the youngsters

"Babuji, what are you talking about?" Payal asked and Shashi sighed revealing his conversation with Garima a few days ago and Garima's defense on behalf of Arnav.

"I hope you understand that I was just looking out for my daughter and someday when you have your children, you will understand why. "

Arnav smiled and shook his head at Shashi.

"You don't have to apologize...... As you said, you were looking out for Khushi and thank you Mrs Gupta for defending me. " Arnav said sincerely and Shashi smiled as Garima looked down ashamed.

"So what now?......... Mrs Malik is not going to stop until she gets what she wants." Aman asked.

"Well now the truth is out....... She and Anant have to pay........ We better call uncle and tell him the truth and have the police detain Anant immediately...... It's about time the truth came out. " Arnav said and they all nodded and Shashi looked sceptical.

"But Arnav. " Shashi called out and everyone turned to him. " What if he tells the police about what your uncle and his friends did to him and also the judge won't appreciate the method used to get the truth out of your paternal uncle...... Am afraid it will get all of you involved in trouble and ruin any chance of us getting justice. "

Arnav smiled and felt happy seeing Shashi's concern for him too.

"Don't worry uncle, Anant doesn't know we were the ones who kidnapped him......... He has forgotten completely about the interrogation and Satish uncle and mama didn't show him their faces after he woke up from his coma...... He has been in solitary confinement and I will ask Satish uncle to release him......... We will have people follow him and know where he is going but we have to deal with Dadi first that why I want Mrs Gupta to call her right away and tell her she only got half of the money and will give her the rest in two days, that will gives us time to plan their down fall. " Everyone nodded liking Arnav's idea.

"I will arrange the money right away....... Excuse me. " Akash said and walked out to make call to the bank.

"Mrs Gupta we will need you to do something for us. " Arnav said and Garima stared at him wanting to do whatever it took to take Sudhadra Malik down even if she won't get her family back.

"Anything you all want I will do it in a heartbeat. " Garima responded and Arnav nodded.

"We will have Aman let his team attach a hidden camera on you and we want you to try and provoke Mrs Malik to threaten you and of possible reveal more details about the night you sister and brother in law died........ We need all the evidence we can gather against her. "

Garima nodded and Aman left to call his men to come to Gupta residence with their equipment.

"Payal dear? " Shashi called out and she turned her attention to her. "Get the three guests room ready....... I think it's better we all stay together for the time being so that we don't stress ourselves going back and forth........ Akash will share your old room with you while Arnav, Aman and Preeto take the other three. " Payal nodded and stood up and Preeto followed her to help.

"Let me make start cooking dinner. " Buaji said as she stood up and Shashi nodded and turned to Arnav. "Arnav I know this is not you style of comfort because you are used to luxury but be rest assured you will be comfortable under our roof. "

"Don't worry Mr Gupta, I don't mind...... As long as I can stay closer to Khushi. " Arnav said and his eyes widened seeing the teasing expression on Shashi's face. " I mean to say. "

Shashi raised his hand stopping him and he stood up to the kitchen leaving Arnav alone with Garima who felt awkward sitting alone with Arnav.

"They will come around soon...... Your husband and daughters have heart of gold. " Arnav said out of the blue and Garima shook her head making him frown.

"Even if they do, I don't think I can ever forgive myself...... Shashi deserves better and so does Payal and Khushi........ I am ready to face whatever consequences my actions had caused....... I hope when all this is over, you and Khushi will live happily ever after. " Garima said smiling and Arnav reciprocated.

Back at RM Mami sat together with Nani sulking at being left behind alone.

Nani shook her head at her daughter in law's childish behavior.

"Not long ago you were sulking about not wanting Payal to be your daughter in law but now look at you, you can't live a day without her and always dragging her away from Akash....... If you keep on doing that, you will never have grandkids you hypocrite. " Nani exclaimed and Mami gasped dramatically.

"Hello hi bye bye, I am not hypocrite okay...... I just misunderstood Payal and I got scared sleeping alone when Manohar was gone and you always kick me out when I come to you room....... Unlike you and Anjali, Payal never complains....... Just say you are jealous of my relationship with Payal. " Mami retorted and stuffed her mouth with her dosa as Nani smiled at her and went back to eating.

Akash had called saying he will be going out on a date to a concert with Payal and will be staying at Arnav's penthouse afterwards.

Arnav had also called saying he will be staying at his penthouse due to an early meeting he has the next day.

Manohar had also left for a meeting leaving the two of them with Dadi alone.

Nani and Mami halted eating hearing Dadi whistling happily and all dressed up and they both stared at each other and back to Dadi.

"I am going to meet a friend who will help me with Anjali and Shyam's case...... Unlike some people I care about my family. " Dadi taunted and walked away before Nani could reply.

"Hello hi bye bye...... Sasuma, who do you think that idiot is who wants to go against our Arnav bitwa? " Mami asked and Nani shook her head.

"Leave it dear....... Arnav and Akash has promised to handle her and we must trust them....... Now eat fast and join me in my room....... You can sleep with me today. " Nani said and Mami beamed hearing this.

Midnight at the Gupta residence, Arnav who had been allowed to take care of Khushi by Shashi stared at her sleeping peacefully.

"Khushi, I will get justice for your parents that I promise you. " Arnav said before his eyes started dropping and sleep took over him as eyes dropped into sleep.

What he didn't know was that, as he was falling asleep, Khushi who had been awake before he took Preeto's place to take care of her had heard his final words.

She opened her eyes upon seeing Arnav eyes dropping.

She stood up and leaned on the headrest of the bed staring at Arnav sleeping peacefully and smiled.

She always knew her parents death wasn't an accident but finally getting the confirmation she wanted all these years overwhelmed and she lost consciousness because of it.

She was like this for over an hour but frown seeing creases on Arnav's forehead.

He was mumbling incoherently and Khushi even though weak stood up and moved closer.

"Don't hate Khushi...... Please don't hate me........ I love you....... I can't live without you. "

The words became clearer to Khushi as she moved closer.

Arnav jerked hyperventilating and and soft hand lifted his chin.

He looked surprised seeing Khushi staring at him with concern on her face.

"Arnav are you okay? " She asked softly.

"Khushi, I should be asking you that..... When did you wake up. " Arnav retorted and stood up, picked her up and took her to the bed and laid her down.

"Arnav I am fine. " Khushi laughed but Arnav wasn't having it as he tucked her into bed.

"Let me reheat the soup Buaji made........ You have to eat something before you take you medicine." Arnav said walking out.

"Arnav wait. "

He turned hearing Khushi who smiled and motioned him to come over.

"I want to eat in the kitchen. " Khushi said getting up but Arnav didn't let her feet touch the floor and scooped her up into his arms.

He took her to the kitchen and reheated the soup as Khushi looked on.

"I will never hate or leave you....... You are mine Arnav...... Now and forever more. " Khushi thought as she watched him operate the microwave.

To be continued.

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